WO1998003803A2 - Selecteur a positionneur tactile - Google Patents

Selecteur a positionneur tactile Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1998003803A2
WO1998003803A2 PCT/US1997/011995 US9711995W WO9803803A2 WO 1998003803 A2 WO1998003803 A2 WO 1998003803A2 US 9711995 W US9711995 W US 9711995W WO 9803803 A2 WO9803803 A2 WO 9803803A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
shift
shift lever
base
path
shifter
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1997/011995
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO1998003803B1 (fr
WO1998003803A3 (fr
Inventor
Donald R. Rempinski
Phong T. Tran
Ronald Bazany
Anil Mandala
Brian J. Brown
Randy Ray
Original Assignee
Grand Haven Stamped Products, Division Of Jsj Corporation
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US08/687,167 external-priority patent/US5791197A/en
Application filed by Grand Haven Stamped Products, Division Of Jsj Corporation filed Critical Grand Haven Stamped Products, Division Of Jsj Corporation
Publication of WO1998003803A2 publication Critical patent/WO1998003803A2/fr
Publication of WO1998003803A3 publication Critical patent/WO1998003803A3/fr
Publication of WO1998003803B1 publication Critical patent/WO1998003803B1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16H—GEARING
    • F16H59/00—Control inputs to control units of change-speed-, or reversing-gearings for conveying rotary motion
    • F16H59/02—Selector apparatus
    • F16H59/0204—Selector apparatus for automatic transmissions with means for range selection and manual shifting, e.g. range selector with tiptronic
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16H—GEARING
    • F16H61/00—Control functions within control units of change-speed- or reversing-gearings for conveying rotary motion ; Control of exclusively fluid gearing, friction gearing, gearings with endless flexible members or other particular types of gearing
    • F16H61/22—Locking of the control input devices
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16H—GEARING
    • F16H61/00—Control functions within control units of change-speed- or reversing-gearings for conveying rotary motion ; Control of exclusively fluid gearing, friction gearing, gearings with endless flexible members or other particular types of gearing
    • F16H61/24—Providing feel, e.g. to enable selection
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16H—GEARING
    • F16H59/00—Control inputs to control units of change-speed-, or reversing-gearings for conveying rotary motion
    • F16H59/02—Selector apparatus
    • F16H2059/0239—Up- and down-shift or range or mode selection by repeated movement

Definitions

  • the present invention concerns a vehicle shifter having a shift lever operably supported on a base for multi-axial movement along multiple or non-linear shift paths for operating an automatic transmission in automatic and manual shift modes, and further having a positioner for biasing the shift lever to predetermined positions along the shift paths.
  • Automatic transmission shifters commonly include a shift lever pivotable along a fore-to-aft shift path between gear positions in an automatic shift mode, such as park, reverse, neutral, and two or more drive positions. In the drive positions, the automatic transmission automatically upshifts and downshifts according to predetermined vehicle operating conditions.
  • automobile manufacturers have conceived of a shifter for automatic transmissions in which the shifter includes a shift lever that can be moved between an automatic shift mode that operates as noted above, and a manual shift mode in which the automatic transmission is manually shifted by a vehicle driver.
  • this presents some problems not previously encountered in automatic transmission shifters.
  • the shifter must provide easy and smooth re-entry into the automatic mode from the manual mode, including any mechanical re-connection of the shifter to the automatic transmission mode.
  • a further important consideration is the integration of technology concerning existing automatic shifters with the function, logic and controls required in new automatic shifters having a manual shift mode. This integration must be accomplished in a manner that does not cause confusion or human error when driving a vehicle having such a shifter.
  • a further problem in automatic shifters having a manual shifter path or mode concerns feel positioners. Automatic transmission shifters usually have a feel positioner for providing an optimal feel to a driver as the driver selects various gear positions.
  • the present invention includes a shifter for a vehicle including a base, and a shift lever movably mounted to the base for movement along a first shift path and along a non- aligned second shift path.
  • a first detent member is provided on one of the base and the shift lever. The first detent member has a configured bearing surface with angled surfaces thereon.
  • a spring-biased second detent member is provided on the other of the base and the shift lever, the spring-biased second detent member having a biased member engaging the configured bearing surface.
  • the angled surfaces are arranged on the configured bearing surface to engage the biased member to bias the shift lever to at least one predetermined location along the first shift path and to at least a second predetermined location along the second shift path.
  • the present invention includes a shifter having a base defining a pivot and mount for supporting a feel positioner, and a shift lever pivoted to the pivot for movement along a first path from front to rear and along a second path for transverse movement.
  • a molded member on the shift lever has a configured bearing surface with depressions defining gear positions on each of the first and second paths.
  • a feel positioner is attached to the mount. The feel positioner includes a detent member resiliently engaging the depressions to selectively hold the shift lever in selected positions along the first path and the second path.
  • the present invention includes a shifter for a vehicle including a base, and a shift lever pivotally mounted to the base for movement to the various gear positions.
  • One of the base and the shift lever include a detent member having a configured surface with depressions representing the various gear positions of the shift lever.
  • a feel positioner mounted on the other of the base and the shift lever includes a ball rotatably mounted on the feel positioner. The ball engages the depressions in the configured bearing surface to provide a feel to the driver of the vehicle as the shift lever is shifted.
  • FIG. 1 is a side view of a shifter embodying the present invention, the shifter including an H-shaped shifting pattern;
  • Figs. 2-3 are plan and end views of the shifter shown in Fig. 1;
  • Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the shifter shown in Fig. 1;
  • Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the base, the shift lever, the shift-lever- biasing spring and the spring stand shown in Fig. 4;
  • Fig. 6 is perspective view of a subassembly of the components shown in Fig. 5 including the upper and lower shift lever legs shown in Fig. 4;
  • Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the shift lever upper leg assembled to the base shown in Fig. 4;
  • Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view taken along the lines VIII-VIII in Fig. 6;
  • Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the shift lever and the base, the shift lever being pivoted to the manual mode such that the shift lever is disengaged from the upper shift lever leg, but wherein the shift lever is still in a centered "no-shift" position;
  • Figs. 10 and 11 are perspective views of the shift lever pivoted to an up-shift position and a down-shift position, respectively, on the base;
  • Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the detent member shown in Fig. 4;
  • Figs 13-15 are top, side and end views of the detent member shown in Fig. 12;
  • Fig. 16 is a cross sectional view taken along the line XVI-XVI in Fig. 13;
  • Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the detent member including a shift lever positioned therein in a manual shift mode in the centered "no-shift" position;
  • Fig. 18 is a perspective view of the slide shown in Fig. 4 for holding the shift lever in a selected shift mode;
  • Fig. 19 is a plan view of the slide shown in Fig. 18;
  • Fig. 20 is a fragmentary side view of the slide shown in Fig. 18;
  • Fig. 21 is a fragmentary plan view of a flexible tape-like band for covering gaps around the H-shaped slot defining the shift pattern on the shifter shown in Fig. 4;
  • Figs. 22 and 23 are fragmentary side and end views of the flexible cover shown in Fig. 21 ;
  • Fig. 24 is a perspective view of the shifter shown in Fig. 4 with the aesthetic cover plate removed to reveal components in the shifter including a brake-ignition- transmission-shift-interlock (BITSI) device, the BITSI device being in the interlocked position wherein the shift lever is locked in park;
  • BITSI brake-ignition- transmission-shift-interlock
  • Fig. 25 is a perspective view of the shifter shown in Fig. 24 but with the BITSI device unlocked and the shift lever positioned in a drive gear position;
  • Fig. 26 is a fragmentary perspective view of the detent member shown in Fig. 12 including the two sensors for sensing movement of the shift lever into the manual shift mode and for sensing movement of the shift lever to cause upshifting and downshifting;
  • Figs. 27-28 are top and side views of another shifter embodying the present invention, the shifter including an "S-gate" shifting pattern;
  • Fig. 29 is a side view of the detent member of the shifter shown in Fig. 28;
  • Figs. 30 and 31 are fragmentary and full perspective views of the S-gate detent member and the switch/sensor positioned thereon;
  • Fig. 32 is a side view of a modified shifter embodying the present invention having an H-shaped shifting pattern
  • Figs. 33 and 33A are top perspective views from opposing corners/sides of the molded member shown in Fig. 32;
  • Fig. 34 is an end view of the molded member shown in Fig. 33;
  • Fig. 35 is a side view of the molded member including the depressions in the molded member and a ball detent, the ball detent being shown in a park position in the first shift path including "P", “R” , “N”, and “D” gear positions;
  • Fig. 36 is a side view of the molded member similar to Fig. 35, but with the ball detent being shown in the second shift path for upshift and downshift manual shifting;
  • Fig. 37 is a cross section taken along the line XXXVII-XXXVII in Fig. 32, showing the shift lever in the first shift path on the base;
  • Fig. 38 is a cross section identical to Fig. 37, but showing the shift lever in the second shift path for upshift-downshift manual shifting;
  • Fig. 39 is a top view of the molded member
  • Fig. 40 is a schematic showing various gear positions corresponding to various locations for the ball detent on the molded member as shown in Fig. 39;
  • FIG. 41 is a side view of another modified shifter embodying the present invention having an S -shaped shifting pattern
  • Fig. 42 is a perspective view of the shift lever shown in Fig. 41 including the molded member thereon;
  • Fig. 43 is a fragmentary end view of the shift lever including the molded member shown in Fig. 42;
  • Figs. 48-50 are photographs of the shifter shown in Fig. 32, Fig. 48 showing a side of the prototype shifter, Fig. 49 showing an enlarged perspective view of the ball detent engaging the configured upper surface of the molded member shown in Figs. 33 and 48, and Fig. 50 showing a side view of the opposing side of the shifter shown in Fig.
  • Shifter 30 is adapted to shift an automatic transmission either in a "conventional" automatic shift mode or in a manual shift mode.
  • Shifter 30 (Fig. 4) includes a base 31 , a detent member 32 attached to the base 31, and a shift lever 33 pivotally attached to the base 31 by a ball and socket pivot 34 for multi-axial movement along a configured H-shaped shift pattern 35.
  • the H-shaped shift pattern 35 includes a first shift path segment 36, a parallel second shift path segment 37, and a transverse path segment 38 connecting the shift path segments 36 and 37.
  • the shifter 30 includes switches 39 and 40 attached to the detent member 32 and electrically connected to transmission control circuitry for sensing the position of the shift lever 33 for controlling upshifting and downshifting of the automatic transmission as the shift lever 33 is selectively moved along the second shift path segment
  • a transmission shift arm is pivotally supported on the base 31 , and includes a lower leg 71 connected to transmission rod/linkage 43 (Fig. 1) for shifting the automatic transmission.
  • the transmission shift arm also includes an upper leg 70 (Fig. 4) for engaging the shift lever 33 when the shift lever 33 is in the first shift path segment 36.
  • the upper leg 70 is configured to mechanically disengage the shift lever 33 when the shift lever 33 is pivoted out of the first shift path segment 36 and into the second shift path segment 37, so that the lower leg 71 does not move when the shift lever 33 is moved along the second shift path segment 37.
  • the base 31 (Fig. 5) includes a generally flat bottom panel 47 reinforced with ribs 48 and configured for attachment to a vehicle floor pan, for mounting the shifter 30 to a vehicle.
  • a plurality of attachment apertures 49 are formed in an upper surface of panel 47 for receiving screws to attach to a vehicle floor, and apertures 49' are for receiving screws to attach the detent member 32 to the base 31.
  • a pocket 50 is formed generally in the middle of base 31 by downwardly disposed walls 51 for receiving a molded bearing 52 with a socket 53 formed therein. Bearing 52 friction fits into pocket 51, and includes alignment ribs 54 for engaging slots 54' in walls 51.
  • Opposing guide slots 55 are formed in the sides of bearing 52.
  • Shift lever 33 (Fig. 5) includes a tubular post 57 and a spring-biased upwardly- biased pawl 58 operably mounted in the post 57.
  • a ball 59 is attached to a lower end of post 57.
  • Ball 59 is shaped to mateably engage socket 53 and pivotally support shift lever
  • a guide pin 60 is press-fit into and extends from ball 59 into slots 55 in sphere-forming bearing 52, the purpose of which is to prevent shift lever 33 from unacceptably rotating about an axis parallel tubular post 57.
  • a block 61 is attached to post 57 about midway between pawl 58 and ball 59. Block 61 extends toward a side of base 31 , and includes flattened sides 62-64.
  • a handle 65 (Fig. 4) is attached to the top of post 57, and a pawl-release thumb button 66 is operably mounted in handle 65 for operating pawl 58.
  • thumb button 66 is operably connected to pawl 58 by internal telescoping members for operating pawl 58, as is known in the art.
  • a pivot supporting wall 68 (Fig. 5) is formed adjacent and spaced from one of pocket forming walls 51.
  • a hole 69 is formed in the pivot supporting wall 68 and the adjacent one pocket- forming wall 51.
  • the upper leg 70 (Fig. 4) and a lower leg 71 are fixedly secured together and pivotally secured to base 31 for movement as a unit on base 31 by a pivot pin 79 that extends through hole 69.
  • upper leg 70 includes a laterally facing U-shaped section 72 having an interlock hole 72' and a lower section 73 having a squared hole 74 therein.
  • the lower leg 71 includes a lower section 76 configured for attachment to a transmission control rod 43 (Fig. 1) and an upper section 78 (Fig. 4) including a pivot pin 79.
  • Pivot pin 79 includes a shaft having a bushing 79' thereon configured to rotatably engage hole 69 and pivotally support the subassembly of legs 70 and 71 on base 31.
  • the pivot pin 79 further is configured to non-rotatably engage upper leg 70 and to connect the legs 70 and 71.
  • the non-rotatable connection of legs 70 and 71 can be made in different ways, such as by including a square shaft section for engaging square holes 74 and 74' in upper leg 70 and lower leg 71, or by press-fitting or welding of leg 71 onto pivot pin 79, or by other connecting methods known in the art for connecting two levers at a common pivot.
  • the U-shaped section 72 of upper leg 70 is configured to receive block 61 when shift lever 33 is in the first shift path segment 36.
  • Fig. 6 shows the block 61 engaging upper leg 70 when the shift lever 33 is in the park position.
  • a spring support stand 80 (Fig. 5) includes a body 81, attachment flanges 82 for screw attachment to base 31 , and a pair of upwardly extending protrusions 83 and 84.
  • spring support stand 80 could be molded integrally with base 31.
  • a coil spring 85 includes coils 87 that wrap around the back protrusion 83, and further includes spring arms 88 and 89 extend from coils 87 on opposite sides of front protrusion 84.
  • the spring arms 88 and 89 extend toward shift lever tubular post 57, and include angled ends 90 that form an entrance chute for receiving the post 57.
  • the post 57 is positioned just outside of the entrance chute when shift lever 33 is in the first shift path segment 36 (see Fig. 6), but enters the chute and is positioned between the spring arms 88 and 89 when the shift lever 33 is pivoted to the second shift path segment 37 (see Fig. 9). As shown in Fig.
  • the shift lever 33 is shown in a "no-shift" centered position in the manual mode shift path 37.
  • the shift lever 33 is disengaged from the U-shaped section 73 of upper leg 70 of the subassembly (Fig. 9), such that the shift lever 33 is mechanically disconnected from lower leg 71 and from the transmission shift control rod 43.
  • shift lever 33 engages spring arm 88 when the shift lever 33 is pivoted to the "upshift” end 91 (Fig. 4) of second shift path segment 37, such that arm 88 biases the shift lever 33 to the centered "no-shift” position on second shift path segment 36. (See Fig. 10.)
  • shift lever 33 engages spring arm 89 when the shift lever 33 is pivoted to the "downshift" end
  • the coil spring 85 provides a surprisingly good and unexpectedly smooth feel to a vehicle owner when shifting the shifter 30.
  • a pair of spaced apart flanges 94 and 95 are formed on base 31 (Fig. 6), and a pin 96 is slidably mounted in holes in flanges 94 and 95.
  • a spring 97 biases pin 96 toward shift lever 33.
  • a protrusion 98 on shift lever 33 (Fig.
  • the detent member 32 (Fig. 12) is an integrally molded part that includes a pair of molded arches 100 and 101 connected by a transverse flange or wall 102. Attachment flanges or feet 103 are formed at the corners of detent member 32, and include apertures for receiving attachment screws to secure detent member 32 to base 31. Downwardly extending locators (not shown) can be used on detent member 32 can be used to locate detent member 32 on base 31 if desired. Reinforcement webs 105 are formed to stabilize and reinforce the feet 103. An H-shaped slot 106 is formed in transverse wall 102, the slot 106 defining the shift pattern 35 and having slot portions that correspond to the path segments 36-38.
  • the slot 106 is sized to direct shift lever post 57 along the shift pattern 35.
  • a bottom wall 107 (Fig. 14) connects the bottom edges of arches 100 and 101 for stabilizing detent member 32.
  • a pivot pin 108 extends outwardly from a front of an exterior side of arch 100 for supporting a bell crank, as discussed below.
  • Hooks 109 are formed at the upper outer corners of arches 100 and 101 for engaging apertured tabs on a cover trim piece, and a platform 109' is formed at a forward end of detent member 32 for supporting an electromagnetic coil of a BITSI system proximate pivot pin 108, as also discussed below.
  • the bottom/underside surface of arches 100 and 101 include notches or depressions 110 defining gear positions including park “P”, reverse “R”, neutral “N”, and drive “D".
  • the notches 110 are operably engaged by the pawl 58 when the shift lever 33 is in the first shift path segment 36.
  • the upper edge of arches 100 and 101 include lips 111 and 112 that extend outwardly in opposite directions. Each lip 111 and 112 forms an L-shaped cross section with its respective arch 100 and 101.
  • the L-shaped cross sections form tracks engageable by a slide 113 (see Fig. 24).
  • the slide 113 (Fig. 18) includes a planar body 114 adapted to extend between the arches 100 and 101.
  • the slide 113 includes hooked ends 115 and 116 configured to slidably engage the lips 111 and 112 (Fig. 15).
  • a "figure 8" shaped aperture 117 (Fig. 18) is formed in planar body 114 slightly offset from the longitudinal center of body 114 toward end 116, and elongated apertures 118 and 119 are formed adjacent the aperture 117.
  • a pair of resilient bands 120 and 121 are defined between the apertures 117-119, the bands forming the middle/sides of the figure "8" aperture 117.
  • the ends 122 and 123 of the figure "8" aperture 117 have a diameter chosen to closely engage the shift lever tubular post 57, but the center of the aperture 117 has a reduced width dimension that is somewhat smaller. Further, the end 122 of aperture 117 is vertically aligned with first shift path segment 36, and the second end 123 is vertically aligned with second shift path segment 37.
  • resilient bands 120 and 121 and the size of side apertures 118 and 119 are chosen so that bands 120 and 121 will flex out of the way as tubular post 57 is slid between ends 122 and 123 along transverse path segment 38.
  • Bumps 120' and 121 ' are added to the ends of bumps 120 and 121 to engage post 57 to improve definition and retention of shift lever 33 in each shift plane. Since bands 120 and 121 extend arcuately inwardly, they bias tubular post 57 toward one of ends 122 and 123, and thus securely frictionally retain the shift lever post 57 in a selected one of the first and second shift path segments 36 and 37. Thus, a driver of a vehicle is prevented from accidentally moving the shift lever 33 through the transverse path segment 38.
  • a trim cover piece 125 (Fig. 4) includes an upper cover 125' and a lower cover support 125" configured to snap together to aesthetically cover shifter 30 and to slidably hold a flexible strip 130.
  • apertured tabs 127 located at the corners of cover piece 125' are configured to resiliently snappingly engage mating hooks 127' on cover support 125", and cover support 125" includes apertured tabs 127" that engage hooks 109 on detent member 32.
  • Cover piece 125 includes a flattened center section 126, and a relatively flat tongue 128 that extends forwardly and upwardly at an angle from flat section 126, and a second flat tongue 129 that extends rearwardly and downwardly at an angle from flat section 126.
  • the tongues 128 and 129 are shaped to conform generally to the shape of an upper surface on a console located between front vehicle seats.
  • the cover 125' and cover support 125" in the area of flat section 126 and tongues 128 and 129 form a track 129' therebetween for slidably receiving a resilient flexible strip or band 130.
  • Cover support 125" includes an open center section for receiving arches 100 and 101 , and side ribs 100' and 101' engaging the exterior sides of arches 100 and 101.
  • the band 130 includes a transverse slot 131 for receiving the shift lever tubular post 57, and further includes undulating side edges 131' forming a bearing surface to promote a smooth sliding action (Fig. 23).
  • the band 130 is adapted to telescopingly slide horizontally through trim piece 125 as shift lever 33 is shifted along shift path segments 36 and 37, such that the band 130 covers a substantial portion of the exposed portion of H-shaped slot 106 for aesthetics.
  • the slot 131 allows the shift lever 33 to be shifted along transverse path segment 38 without obstruction.
  • Switches 39 and 40 are mounted to a top of transverse wall 102 adjacent arch 101, so that the sensor arms 133 and 134 of switches 39 and 40 are positioned adjacent the upshift and downshift ends 91 and 92 (Fig. 4) of second shift path segment 37.
  • the tubular post 57 engages the sensor arms 133 and 134.
  • the switches 39 and 40 are connected to the vehicle shift control module in a manner causing the control module to recognize that the shift lever 33 is in the manual upshift/downshift mode.
  • switch sensor arm 134 is released, such that the control module is provided a signal to upshift.
  • the brake-ignition-transmission-shift-interlock (BITSI) device 137 (Fig. 24) includes a bell crank 138 and an electro-mechanical device 139 for interlockingly retaining the pawl 58 in the park position, thus interlockingly retaining the shift lever 33 in a park position.
  • the bell crank 138 is pivotally attached to pivot pin 108 on detent member 32.
  • the bell crank 138 includes a first arm 140 that extends laterally to a position under pawl 58, and further includes a second arm 141 that extends in an opposite direction from first arm 140.
  • the electro-mechanical device 139 includes a housing 142 attached to platform 109', and a coil-operated extendable pin 143.
  • the extendable pin 143 when extended, extends to a location immediately above the second arm 141 when bell crank 138 is in a forwardly rotated position (i.e. when pawl 58 is fully seated in the park position notch in the underside of the arches 100 and 101) (Fig. 24).
  • the extendable pin 143 When the extendable pin 143 is retracted, the bell crank 138 is free to pivot rearwardly to a pawl- released position (Fig. 25).
  • a spring biases the bell crank 138 to the rearwardly rotated position (as shown in Fig. 24).
  • extendable pin 143 could engage the bell crank in different ways, and also that structures other than an electro-mechanical device 139 could be used to interlockingly hold the bell crank in its park-locked position. Further, the invention is contemplated to include BITSI interlock systems other than those that use a bell crank.
  • a modified shifter 30A embodying the present invention is illustrated in Figs. 27- 31.
  • shifter 30A similar components/features and identical components/features are indicated by using the same identification number as was used for shifter 30 but with the addition of the letter "A”.
  • Shifter 30A like shifter 30, is adapted to shift an automatic transmission either in a "conventional" automatic shift mode or in a manual shift mode.
  • the position of the shift lever 33 A indicates the particular gear that the transmission is shifted into.
  • the shift lever 33A can be shifted to either first, second, third or fourth gear positions in a four gear automatic transmission. This is different than in shifter 30 where the manual mode included "upshift", "downshift", and "no-shift" positions.
  • the shifter 30A (Fig. 28) includes a base 31 A, a detent member 32A attached to the base 31 A, and a shift lever 33 A pivotally attached to the base 31 A by a ball and socket pivot 34A for multi-axial movement along a configured shift pattern 35A.
  • the shift pattern 35A is S-shaped (Fig. 31), and includes a first shift path segment 36A, a parallel second shift path segment 37A, and a transverse path segment 38A connecting the shift path segments 36A and 37A.
  • the shifter 30A includes a single switch 40A attached to the detent member 32A and electrically connected to transmission control circuitry for sensing the position of the shift lever 33 A (Fig. 28) for controlling shifting of the automatic transmission as the shift lever 33A is selectively moved along the second shift path segment 37A, as discussed below.
  • a transmission shift arm 41 A (Fig. 28) is pivotally supported on the base 31 A, and includes a lower leg 71 A connected to linkage for shifting the automatic transmission and an upper leg 70A for engaging the shift lever 33A.
  • the upper leg 70A of shifter 33A is configured to continuously engage the shift lever 33A even when the shift lever 33A is pivoted to the second shift path segment, so that the lower leg 71A continues to move with the upper leg 70A even when the shift lever 33A is moved in the second shift path segment 37 A.
  • the detent member 32A includes notches 110A (Fig. 29) that define gear positions park “P” , reverse “R” , neutral “N”, and drive “D” in first shift path segment 36 A, and further includes notches 110A' that define a first gear position “ 1 ", a second gear position “2” , a third gear position "3", and a fourth gear position "4" located along the second shift path segment 37A.
  • the transverse wall 102A (Fig. 30) defines an S-shaped slot 106A.
  • the S-shaped slot 106A includes a first slot section 150A aligned with first shift path segment 36A, a second slot section 151 A aligned with second shift path segment 37A, and a third slot section 152A aligned with transverse path segment 38A.
  • shift lever 33A (Fig. 27) is shifted along first shift path segment 36A to its rear end, the shift lever post 57 A engages the rear end of first slot section 150 A (Fig. 31), such that the rear end 150A' of slot 150A acts as a stop for limiting further rearward movement of the shift lever 33A.
  • the shift lever 33A can again be moved rearwardly for manually controlled rearward shifting.
  • an advantage of the shifter 30A including the S-shaped slot 106A is that it is easily shifted and, in particular, easily shifted between automatic and manual shift modes, but with minimal likelihood of accidentally shifting between the automatic and manual shift modes due to the S-shaped shift pattern 35 A, which inherently includes stops at the ends of the slot segments 150A and 151 A.
  • the trim cover piece 125 A is modified to include an S- shaped slot that corresponds to the S-shaped slot 106A.
  • a modified H-gate shifter 200 (Fig. 32) includes a novel feel positioner arrangement 201 that also provides a side bias for holding the shift lever 33B in a selected shift path.
  • shifter 200 all components and features that are identical or similar to shifter 30 (Fig. 1) are identified by the identification numbers plus the letter "B".
  • Shift lever 33 is shiftable along a first path SP AUT0 for automatic shifting between gear positions PRND, and to a second shift path SP MANUAL for shifting manually by movement to force upshift and downshift positions.
  • the feel positioner arrangement 201 (Fig. 32) includes a molded member 202 on shift lever 33B having a body 203 substantially like block 61 (Fig. 4).
  • molded member 202 also includes a laterally extending configured flange 204 (Fig. 39) that extends from the body 203 opposite protrusion 98B.
  • Flange 204 includes a configured upper surface 205 (Fig. 39) with depressions P x , R x , N x , and D x , along a first shift path SP 1X corresponding to gear positions park "P", reverse “R”, neutral “N”, and drive “D", respectively.
  • Configured upper surface 205 further defines a cross-over channel C x having a raised hump at its midpoint, and a second shift path SP 2X forming manual upshift location M UP , manual downshift location M DN , and center position M c .
  • a raised ridge is located between each of the various gear positions in path SP 1X . Further, the surfaces M c and M UP , and also M N and M DN are inclined to form a concave pocket centered on the neutral location M c . Reinforcement ribs 209 (Fig. 34) are formed under flange 204 to rigidify molded member 202 and to prevent distortion.
  • a detent arm 210 (Fig. 32) attached to base 3 IB includes a resilient arm 211 made of spring steel. One end 213 of arm 211 is secured to mounting structure 213' on base 3 IB by fasteners or other attachment structure. A molded end section 212 is insert- molded or otherwise secured to the other end 214 of arm 211. A roller 215 is rotatably mounted to molded end section 212. The exact three-dimensional shape of roller 215 depends on functional requirements of the shifter 200 and the shape of the configured upper surfaces 205. It is contemplated that the roller 215 will have a bearing surface that is curvilinear in an axial direction so that it slides easily from path SP 1X to path SP 2X .
  • roller 215 is spherical or ball-shaped (see Figs. 35 and 37) to facilitate longitudinal rolling movement in a fore-to-aft direction but also sliding movement in a transverse direction between paths SP 1X and SP 2X .
  • roller 215 could be supported to also roll along channel C x , as well as roll in the longitudinal direction.
  • arm 210 and roller 215 could be replaced with other biased detent arrangements, such as by use of a spring-biased ball seated in an apertured boss on the base 3 IB positioned immediately above the upper surface 205.
  • Shift lever 33B (Fig. 32) is shown in the park position "P", and the roller 215 is engaged in the depression P in shift path SP- X .
  • roller 215 engages depressions P x , R X , and D X , respectively.
  • roller 215 slides along channel C X to the center position M c in path SP 2X (Fig. 40).
  • roller 215 moves from shift position M N to upshift position M UP .
  • the bias of resilient arm 211 causes roller 215 to be biased back to the centered position M c , thus causing the shift lever 33B to return to a centered neutral position.
  • the shift lever 33B is similarly biased during downshifting, with roller 215 being biased to move from the downshift position M DN back to the centered position M c .
  • the engagement of spring-biased roller 215 against configured surface 205 provides multiple functions, including: providing feel to the vehicle driver when shifting into each gear position PRND in the automatic shift path SP 1X ; providing a detent force to hold the shift lever 33B in a desired centered position for each gear position in the shift path of SP 1X ; providing a centering bias to center the shift lever 33B after upshifting or downshifting when in the manual shift path SP 2X ; and providing a bias to urge the shift lever 33B to one or the other of path SP 1X and SP 2X and to hold the shift lever in the selected shift path SP* X of SP 2X .
  • the spring mount 81 and spring 85 of shifter 30 are eliminated.
  • the feel positioner is constructed to provide additional functions without additional components. By changing the shape and configuration of the configured upper surface 205 on molded member 202, the feel and biasing action can be easily changed or customized.
  • a modified S-gate shifter 250 (Fig. 41) includes a novel feel positioner arrangement 251 that also provides a side biasing arrangement.
  • shifter 250 all components and features that are identical to shifter 30A (Fig. 27) are identified with the same numbers plus the letter "C" .
  • the feel positioner arrangement 251 (Fig. 41) includes a molded member 252 on a shift lever 33C having a body 253 substantially like block 61 (Fig. 4). However, molded member 252 also includes a laterally extending configured flange 254 (Fig. 39) that extends from the body 253 opposite protrusion 98C. Flange 254 includes a configured upper surface 255 with depressions P ⁇ , R ⁇ , N ⁇ and D ⁇ along a first shift path SP 1Y corresponding to gear positions park "P", reverse “R”, neutral “N”, and drive "D", respectively.
  • Configured upper surface 255 further defines a cross-over channel C ⁇ having a raised hump at its midpoint, and a second shift path SP 2Y forming manual drive shift positions D Y4 , D ⁇ 3 , D Y2 and D Y1 .
  • a raised ridge is located between each of the various gear positions in path SP 1Y .
  • Reinforcement ribs 259 (Fig. 43) are formed under flange 254 to rigidify molded member 252 and to prevent distortion.
  • a detent arm 260 (Fig. 41) attached to base 31C includes a resilient arm 261 made of spring steel. One end 263 of arm 261 is secured to molded structure 263' on base 31C by fasteners or other attachment structure.
  • a molded end section 262 is insert-molded or otherwise secured to the other end 264 of arm 261.
  • a roller 265 is rotatably mounted to molded end section 265. The exact three-dimensional shape of roller 265 depends on functional requirements of the shifter 250 and the shape of the configured upper surfaces
  • roller 265 will have a bearing surface that is curvilinear in an axial direction so that it slides easily from path SP 1Y to path SP 2Y .
  • the illustrated roller 265 is spherical or ball-shaped to facilitate longitudinal movement in a fore-to-aft direction but also in a transverse direction between paths SP ]Y and SP 2Y .
  • arm 260 and roller 265 could be replaced with other biased detent arrangements, such as by use of a spring-biased ball seated in an apertured boss on the base 31C positioned immediately above the upper surface 255.
  • Shift lever 33C (Fig. 41) is shown in the drive position “D", and the roller 265 is engaged in the depression D ⁇ in shift path SP- Y .
  • the roller 265 engages depressions P ⁇ , R ⁇ , D ⁇ and D 2Y , respectively.
  • roller 265 slides from path SP 1Y along channel C to the gear position D 4Y in path SP 2Y .
  • roller 265 moves from the initial gear position D Y4 to various selected drive gear positions D 3Y , D 2Y and D 1Y .
  • the bias of resilient arm 261 causes roller 265 to be biased to a centered position in each gear position.
  • spring-biased roller 265 against configured surface 255 provides multiple functions, including: providing feel to the vehicle driver when shifting into each gear position PRND and D 4 , D 3 , D 2 and D- ; providing a detent force to hold the shift lever 33C in a desired centered position for each gear position in the shift paths of SP 1Y and SP 2Y ; and providing a bias to urge the shift lever 33C to one or the other of path SP 1Y and SP 2Y and to hold the shift lever in the selected shift path SP 1Y of SP 2Y .
  • the spring mount 81 and spring 85 of shifter 30 are eliminated.
  • the feel positioner is constructed to provide additional functions without additional components.
  • the feel and biasing action can be easily changed or customized.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Arrangement Or Mounting Of Control Devices For Change-Speed Gearing (AREA)
  • Control Of Transmission Device (AREA)

Abstract

Un sélecteur (30, 200) de transmission automatique comprend une base (31, 31B), un élément de butée (32, 210) fixé à la base et un levier de changement de vitesses (33, 33B) fixé pivotant à la base par un pivot à rotule (34) permettant un mouvement multi-axial le long d'une grille de changement de vitesses configurée. La grille de changement de vitesses comprend un premier segment de chemin de changement de vitesses (36, SP2X) destiné à faire passer la transmission en mode automatique, un second segment de chemin de changement de vitesses (37, SP1X) destiné à faire passer la transmission en mode manuel, et un segment de chemin transversal (38, C4) destiné au passage entre les premier et second segments de chemin. Le levier de changement de vitesses est porté sur une base permettant un mouvement le long de chemins de changement de vitesses multiples ou non linéaires permetttant d'utiliser une transmission automatique en modes de changement de vitesses automatique et manuel. Un positionneur (201) est également prévu, lequel fait passer le levier de changement de vitesses dans des positions prédéterminées le long des chemins de changement de vitesses.
PCT/US1997/011995 1996-07-24 1997-07-16 Selecteur a positionneur tactile WO1998003803A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US08/687,167 1996-07-24
US08/687,167 US5791197A (en) 1996-07-24 1996-07-24 Automatic transmission shifter with manual shift mode
US84762397A 1997-04-28 1997-04-28
US08/847,623 1997-04-28

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1998003803A2 true WO1998003803A2 (fr) 1998-01-29
WO1998003803A3 WO1998003803A3 (fr) 1998-03-05
WO1998003803B1 WO1998003803B1 (fr) 1998-04-09

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Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2009007449A3 (fr) * 2007-07-12 2009-06-11 Cherry Gmbh Module de levier de changement de rapport électronique
EP1992845A3 (fr) * 2007-05-15 2009-07-22 ZF Friedrichshafen AG Module de levier sélecteur électronique
WO2010020244A1 (fr) * 2008-08-20 2010-02-25 Zf Friedrichshafen Ag Levier de sélection avec changement de position par actionneur
CN110892176A (zh) * 2017-05-24 2020-03-17 Ghsp公司 具有改进触感定位器的变速换档器

Citations (9)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USRE26884E (en) * 1968-12-19 1970-05-19 Gear shifting apparatus
JPS60134922A (ja) * 1983-12-24 1985-07-18 Toyota Motor Corp 変速操作機構のセレクトリタ−ン装置
US4546665A (en) * 1983-11-09 1985-10-15 Bieber William J H-Pattern shifter for automatic transmissions
US5249478A (en) * 1992-06-30 1993-10-05 Aisin Aw Co., Ltd. Shift system having a manual speed selecting mechanism for a vehicular automatic transmission
US5277078A (en) * 1992-10-26 1994-01-11 Grand Haven Stamped Products, Div. Of Jsj Corporation Vehicle shifter with roller and detent type shift lever positioner
JPH0694111A (ja) * 1992-09-10 1994-04-05 Mazda Motor Corp 自動変速機の操作装置
US5339705A (en) * 1991-03-07 1994-08-23 Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. Shift device for automatic transmission
US5357820A (en) * 1992-07-22 1994-10-25 Aisin Aw Co., Ltd. Shift control system for automatic vehicle transmission
US5445046A (en) * 1993-01-29 1995-08-29 Fuji Kiko Co., Ltd. Detent mechanism for automatic transmission shift control device

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USRE26884E (en) * 1968-12-19 1970-05-19 Gear shifting apparatus
US4546665A (en) * 1983-11-09 1985-10-15 Bieber William J H-Pattern shifter for automatic transmissions
JPS60134922A (ja) * 1983-12-24 1985-07-18 Toyota Motor Corp 変速操作機構のセレクトリタ−ン装置
US5339705A (en) * 1991-03-07 1994-08-23 Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. Shift device for automatic transmission
US5249478A (en) * 1992-06-30 1993-10-05 Aisin Aw Co., Ltd. Shift system having a manual speed selecting mechanism for a vehicular automatic transmission
US5357820A (en) * 1992-07-22 1994-10-25 Aisin Aw Co., Ltd. Shift control system for automatic vehicle transmission
JPH0694111A (ja) * 1992-09-10 1994-04-05 Mazda Motor Corp 自動変速機の操作装置
US5277078A (en) * 1992-10-26 1994-01-11 Grand Haven Stamped Products, Div. Of Jsj Corporation Vehicle shifter with roller and detent type shift lever positioner
US5445046A (en) * 1993-01-29 1995-08-29 Fuji Kiko Co., Ltd. Detent mechanism for automatic transmission shift control device

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1992845A3 (fr) * 2007-05-15 2009-07-22 ZF Friedrichshafen AG Module de levier sélecteur électronique
WO2009007449A3 (fr) * 2007-07-12 2009-06-11 Cherry Gmbh Module de levier de changement de rapport électronique
US8333128B2 (en) 2007-07-12 2012-12-18 Zf Friedrichshafen Ag Electronic selector lever module
CN101730807B (zh) * 2007-07-12 2013-08-14 Zf腓德烈斯哈芬股份公司 电子变速杆模块
WO2010020244A1 (fr) * 2008-08-20 2010-02-25 Zf Friedrichshafen Ag Levier de sélection avec changement de position par actionneur
US8499661B2 (en) 2008-08-20 2013-08-06 Zf Friedrichshafen Ag Selector lever having actuating change of position
CN110892176A (zh) * 2017-05-24 2020-03-17 Ghsp公司 具有改进触感定位器的变速换档器
CN110892176B (zh) * 2017-05-24 2022-01-25 Ghsp公司 具有改进触感定位器的变速换档器

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